Civil liberties group wants probe into TransLink incident

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is calling on transit authorities to probe allegations that cops harassed three men distributing a news-paper at a SkyTrain station and infringed on their right to free expression.

"We are calling on TransLink and Transit Police to investigate the incident, and do this in a transparent way," said BCCLA president Lindsay Lyster on Tuesday.

Thomas Davies, Shakeel Lochan and Mike Larson were handing out free copies of Fire This Time, a social-justice publication, at Metrotown Station Aug. 31 when they were approached by two transit cops who told them to leave, said Davies.

"They refused to say why we had to leave in the first place," said Davies.

He said he told the officers TransLink allows the distribution of non-commercial material so long as it doesn't block traffic or create litter, but was ignored. "They began handcuffing us and roughing us up," said Davies. "I was thrown against the railing and tackled to the ground by three officers."

Davies said Lochan videotaped the incident on his phone, but the footage was allegedly deleted by an officer. Larson kept his video footage, which is now posted on YouTube along with other bystander videos of the incident.

The three men were taken to a community policing station, then released without charge or explanation, said Davies, describing the incident as the "culmination of four months of harassment" by SkyTrain workers and police.

The group has since returned to Metrotown Station to distribute the newspaper.

The BCCLA isn't clear whether the incident was the responsibility of Transit Police or TransLink staff, but Lyster notes "it is worrisome any time the guardians of public property are alleged to have taken it upon them-selves to limit anyone's free speech in that public space.

TransLink spokesman Jason Martin said TransLink isn't investigating the incident: "My understanding is it has been passed on [by Transit Police] to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner."

Martin said TransLink employees had been under the impression Fire This Time was a for-profit newspaper because it has a price and advertising.

He added TransLink will work to inform employees of the company's proper guidelines.

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